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Trio jailed for "significant" drug supply conspiracy in County Durham

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by Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

POLICE swooped to crack a “significant” cocaine and cannabis dealing operation following the delivery of a large consignment of drugs.

Officers observed the hand over of a package to Wayne Robson and his payment to delivery driver John Flynn, in Ludworth, near Durham, on September 21.

Durham Crown Court was told Flynn’s Volkswagen Passat was pulled over by police, at Byer’s Garth, near Coxhoe, as he set off to make his way back to the North-West a short time later.

Examination of the car revealed a concealed compartment from where a hold-all was retrieved containing £40,880.

Searches were made at the home of Robson’s uncle, Peter Samuel Davies, in Ludworth, and at a family caravan, at Crimdon Dene, on the County Durham coast.

John Gillette, prosecuting, said Davies was present when officers arrived at the house in Barnard Avenue.

Four boxes were found containing 380 nine-bars of cannabis, while 2.5 kilograms of high purity cocaine was also recovered.

Mr Gillette said a further kilogram of cocaine was ready to be cut on a kitchen work bench, alongside digital scales, latex gloves and clear plastic bags.

The static caravan, bought with a £24,000 cash payment in February, 2011, was found to contain 2.5kg of cocaine, some of which was being cut using a Bannatyne’s Health Club membership card in Robson’s name,.

Mr Gillette said the potential value of all the recovered drugs in street sale terms was £769,694.

Robson, 40, of Moor Cresent, and 63-year-old Davies, of Barnard Avenue, both Ludworth, each admitted conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

Martin Scarborough, for Robson, said his admission was on the basis he arranged the storage and oversaw the cutting of the drug on someone else’s behalf, becoming involved to ensure he could maintain his own cocaine habit.

Julie Clemitson, for Davies, said he naively allowed his home to be used to store the drugs after being asked by his nephew, Robson.

Tony Davis, for Flynn, said he was paid £100 to deliver a package in the North-East and was unsure what it contained.

Jailing Robson for seven years and Davies for five years, Recorder Gregory Perrins told them: “You were both involved in what can be called a large-scale, sophisticated, commercial drugs conspiracy involving a large amount of cannabis and cocaine, over about six months.”

Flynn was jailed for 18 months as Recorder Perrins said he may not have known the nature of what he was paid to deliver.

Proceeds of crime proceedings will take place at the court later in the year.